The voltage regulator is composed of three relays mounted as an assembly. Each relay has a set of contact points and an energizing
coil for operating the points, and each relay performs a separate function to maintain control of the generator.
The Cut-Out Relay - Prevents the battery from being discharged through the generator armature to ground when the engine is off. When the engine starts, the voltage induced in the generator armature, forces current through the energizing
coils of the cut-out relay. At approximately 12 volts, the cut-out relay points close and current can flow from the generator to the external load.
The cut-out relay is adjusted by bending the adjusting arm upward to increase the voltage required to close the points, or by bending the adjusting arm downward to decrease the voltage required to close the points.
The Voltage Limiter Relay - Holds the generator voltage to a predetermined setting by controlling the amount of voltage applied to the field
coils. The voltage limiter relay contacts open and close at a rate of about 60 to 200 time per second to accomplish control of the generator voltage.
If the voltage is less than specified, increase the spring tension of the voltage limiter relay by bending the adjusting arm upward. If the voltage is more than specified, decrease the spring tension of the voltage limiter relay by bending the adjusting arm downward.
The Current Limiter Relay – Protects the generator windings by limiting the maximum amount of current supplied by the generator. The current limiter relay contacts open and close at a rate of about 30 or 40 times per second.
If the current limit is less than specified, increase the spring tension of the current limiter relay by bending the adjusting arm upward. If the current limit is more than specified, decrease the spring tension of the current limiter relay by bending the adjusting arm downward.
doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue
